NHTSA Complaint #10248566 — 2006 AUDI A3

I BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE AUDI A3'S OPEN SKY (SUNROOF) SUN SHADE LATCHING MECHANISM. THE SUNSHADE HAS A PLASTIC CLIP ASSEMBLY WHICH ALLOWS THE SHADE TO COVER THE SUNROOF AREA. THIS DESIGN IS WEAK AND PRONE TO BREAK. THIS HAS BEEN NOTED BY NUMEROUS OTHER A3 OWNERS. IN APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS, WE BROKEN THE CLIPS 3 TIMES AND THIS IS WITH VERY INFREQUENT USAGE AND EXTREME CARE. AUDI SERVICE STAFF OPENLY ADMIT THIS IS AN ISSUE, HOWEVER AUDI ONLY SELLS THE ENTIRE SUNSHADE ASSEMBLY AS A FIX - NOT JUST THE CLIP. THIS IS A $200+ PART, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I BELIEVE AUDI SHOULD REDESIGN/RECALL THIS ASSEMBLY OR AT LEAST OFFER A STANDALONE LOCKING REPLACEMENT PART. *TR